If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Colors of Hive

Hey Guys. Just curious - I have recently purchased my first beehive from an older gentleman who is not able to take care of his hives. Since then, my father-in-law became interested in building me another hive for my second batch of bees. He is a tremendous woodworker. Anyway, I have always assumed the traditional color to paint the outside is white because of it's soothing abilities on the bees and because it keeps them cooler during the summer. My question is this - would it be okay to paint one of the brooding chambers or supers a yellow or light green just to make the hive appear more attractive to any onlookers other than the bees? Any ideas? Thanks in advance!!

Re: Colors of Hive

Go to your local Home Depot or Lowe's and check for "mis-mixed" gallons of exterior latex. Everytime I go in one I check to see if they have any. As long as it is not an extremely dark color, I live in Mississippi, I buy it for usually $5 per gallon. Any color will do, this year I've been getting yellows and greens.

Re: Colors of Hive

I have one bee yard that is kind of close to a neighborhood. So I paint all of them Kelly Green to make them not stand out. The remainder are white. White was used in the last 100 years because it looks clean..... Read that in a book about bee keeping that was published in 1910.

Re: Colors of Hive

White is cooler than dark colors, but any color lighter than medium gray will work fine. Obvioulsy you don't want to use black.

Mis-tint paint is cheap, and if you shop around a bit you can find top grade paints in odd colors that will work find, and if you are concerned that it's too dark, buy a small amount of the same paint in white and mix them to lighten it. I've got a kelly green, a stone color, a chololate milk brown, and a light blue/gray all for less than $20. Most if it is Behr Ultra Premium, which is a joy to paint with -- goes on very easily, covers nicely even with a single coat, and never drips or runs.

If you want to keep your hives "stealthy", keep an eye out for drab colors in olive gray/green and brown shades or leaf green and avoid white.

Re: Colors of Hive

Re: Colors of Hive

I run several colors. I checked the outside temps with a laser thermometer last summer and noted 20 to 30 degree difference in surface temps. White being the coolest, light green next, then light blue, then tan being the next and brown being the hottest of the colors tested. I checked inside and outside temps and while the inside took longer to warm up, it did become warmer in relation to the outside surface. The test was done in full sunlight and empty boxes. Hope this helps.